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About Sharon McCarthy
Expertise
I can help with most questions about residential plumbing problems including septic systems, and some questions about irrigation. I have no experience with commercial installations or codes.

Experience
I have been a sole-proprietor service plumber in two small towns north of Phoenix Arizona for 26 years.

Publications
I had a monthly column in the United Steelworkers of America, local 1033, newsletter 1978 to 1982. I wrote an article for "The Theosophist" in 1977. I've written dozens of letters to the editor in many newspapers.

Education/Credentials
High school and three years of college. My step-father, having worked 40 years in the plumbing trade in Chicago, taught me for two years. The rest has been hands-on experience.

Past/Present Clients
Many hundreds of good people in Cave Creek and Carefree Arizona

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Plumbing in the Home > Kitchen sink stub out

Plumbing in the Home - Kitchen sink stub out

Expert: Sharon McCarthy - 11/9/2009

Question
I need to replace the drain stub out under my kitchen sink. The connection is behind sheet rock so I can't see it. I was told that it should just be threaded in but I cannot get it to move at all. Any suggestions? Thanks!!

Answer
Dear Corrine,

  FIRST, is this stub-out galvanized pipe? If it's black plastic [ABS] it is glued into the tee behind the wall. If it's galvanized, and it's been in there a long time, you'll probably need a big pipe wrench to remove it.

  If you have galvanized drainlines, I'm guessing your house is over 30 years old or more. Galvanized became pretty much obsolete when ABS pipe came along. Back then, teflon tape and teflon paste hadn't been invented either, and plumbers used what was called "pipe dope", a greasy grey substance in a can with a brush in the cap. They slopped this stuff on threads to prevent leaks.

  This old grey pipe dope ages into a hard crusty substance, and any pipes that were connected with this stuff are very difficult to break loose. Also, galvanized pipe is basically plain steel that can rust. "Galvanization" is a process that was invented to slow down the rusting of steel pipes. Galvanized steel pipes are electro-coated with zinc inside and out, but the coating is superficial. After a while, especially when in contact with water, the zinc will wear off and the steel underneath will begin to rust.

  If you do attempt to remove this pipe with a pipe wrench, be cautioned that the threads may not only be coated with dried-up pipe dope, they may also be rusted. If so, and you put a lot of torque on the pipe, some of the threads could break off and remain in the tee in the wall.

  I'm not saying this WILL happen, but it could happen. I hope this information helped you. sharon

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